Inactive lifestyles kill an estimated 36,815 people each year

Professor Julia Verne, Director of the South West Public Health Observatory, said:

“While we realise there are some people who cannot engage fully in physical activity, the tool is useful in highlighting the scale of the impact of physical activity on health. Small increases in activity, even for those who can’t be fully active would still deliver big health benefits.

“Local authorities can use the tool to raise awareness about the importance of physical activity and to think of ways to get people active in their area.

“There are many ways to do this. While improving sporting facilities is important, the key for most people is to build physical activity into their daily lives, rather than thinking of it as something extra to fit in to already hectic lifestyles. One way to do this is to leave cars at home, walk and cycle more often to school, work and for leisure.”